William Levi Hector was born at Stanion in 1856, son of Thomas & Emma. In December 1877 he completed his apprenticeship at Denton's curriers at Rushden, being then aged 21.
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Factory built in the early 1900s in Midland Road
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The following year he married Charlotte Hale (born and baptised 1857, daughter of Richard and Agnes) of Higham Ferrers. Their first daughter Beatrice was born in 1882 at Rushden, followed by Emily in 1883, son Thomas in 1885 and Clara in 1887, all at Higham Ferrers. Two more children, Ada in 1888 and Henrietta in 1891 were born at Dartford, but Beatrice had stayed with her grandparents at Higham Ferrers. The family moved back to Higham Ferrers, where Alice was born in 1893.
In 1901 William is listed as a currier, employing others, at home: Beatrice as a boot closer, Clara a fitter, Emily a machinist and Thomas was also a currier. But his business expanded rapidly, and he soon built a fine factory in Midland Road, backing on to the railway station, giving ease of transport for the finished goods. [Later used by Spillers]
In 1912 a fine house was built for William, which he called Bolton House, at the junction of Kimbolton Road and the A6 trunk road. [This was demolished in the 1980s for a road widening scheme.]
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Left: Memo No 936 and above: Bolton House built in 1912
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In 1914 F D Brazier wrote a memo to William, who was now a leather merchant, to quote for a four-wheel-trolley he was to build 'similar in size & shape to the one I built for Mes. Harris Bros, Rushden'.
Rushden Echo, 4th October 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
A Limited Liability Company, under the name of W. L. Hector Ltd., was registered on September 23rd, with a capital of £25,000 in £1 shares (10,000 7 percent. Cum. Pref.) to acquire the business of a currier, leather merchant, etc., carried on by W. L. Hector at the Midland leather Works, Higham Ferrers and at Stanion, near Thrapston, also to carry on the business of fellmongers, etc. The subscribers (each with one share) are: W. L. Hector and T. Hector, who are the first directors. The registered office is Midland-road, Higham Ferrers.
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Rushden Echo, 3rd October 1919, transcribed by Kay Collins
Overturned VehicleThrough a horse drawing a van belonging to Messrs. Seddons, Arlidge, and Co. Ltd., taking fright at a motor, an accident occurred outside Mr. G. W. Battersby’s shop on Tuesday. A trolley, the property of Mr. W. Hector, was passing the van when the sound of a motor frightened Messrs. Seddon’s horse, driven by a young man named Stevens. The horse became unmanageable and the wheels of the van and trolley caught, overturning the latter. The driver, Mr. W. Plummer, of Higham Ferrers, was thrown under his trolley and suffered some nasty cuts. The trolley was righted fortunately without further damage.
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